By Gennaro Polverino, M.D.
Family Medicine Physician

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common type of noninflammatory arthritis. OA is also sometimes referred to as “wear and tear” arthritis or incorrectly as degenerative joint disease (DJD.) According to Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine 15th ed. by Braunwald, et. al., OA in the elderly is “the leading cause of chronic disability in developed countries.” In fact, the prevalence of OA for women between the ages of 45 and 64 is 30% and is 68% for those women older than 65. The prevalence for men is similar. (Brandt, p.1987)
OA first begins as a complicated biochemical processes in joint cartilage that eventually results in cartilage damage. Once this occurs boney spur formation can ensue. Ultimately, there is a loss of normal joint function that can lead to disability. (Cush, Kavanaugh, & Stein, p. 269.)

A common location for OA to first appear is at the base of the thumb. Unlike RA which is an inflammatory arthritis, OA tends to affect the distal interphalangeal joints of the hands. (Altman & Lozada, p.506-507.) These joints are the most distal two joints of digits two through five where digit one is the thumb.
Ultimately, when the knees or hip are affected and become severe, there may be a loss of function or avoidance of activity because of pain. This can put a patient at a risk for falls. Pain alone can also lead to a deconditioned state through avoidance of activity that worsens pain. The weakened state compounds the problem and increases the risk of falling. In turn, falls can result in further complications such as intracranial bleeding even without direct head trauma for certain at-risk elderly.

Since OA is common in the older population, what are the modifiable risk factors for developing OA? One such modifiable risk factor is obesity. While obesity increases the risk of knee OA it does not increase the risk of OA of the hip or hands. Notably, OA occurs less often in those with more bone mass. Other risk factors, which are not modifiable, include a history of “trauma…congenital or metabolic disorders…inflammatory arthritis, neuropathic arthritis, and hemophilia.” (Cush, Kavanaugh, & Stein p. 269.)

Unlike inflammatory arthritis, such as RA, noninflammatory arthritis signs and symptoms tend to initially be more subtle or of slower onset. Inflammatory arthritis also generally has associated inflammatory indicators such as redness, swelling, and/or heat that is of sudden onset at the affected joint. OA may have pain but without the signs of inflammation. Another distinguishing symptomatic characteristic of OA is that fact that pain increases with activity whereas early on in the disease progression of RA, pain is more likely to decrease with activity.

For instance, in the case of RA, the pain, stiffness, and swelling in the hand joints may be noticed on awakening in the mornings. Later in the day the pain tends to diminish with use. As activity increases during the day, the RA symptoms tend to lessen.

That said, what are the treatments for the arthritides? These are many therapeutic approaches. Some may include medical, surgical (such as joint replacement,) and joint injection therapy or any combination thereof. In the case of OA, joint injection therapy is commonly employed.

If you suffer from joint pain, over the counter agents may help. However, they may be inadequate or inappropriate depending on your specific diagnosis and other coexisting conditions. If you suffer from joint pain, see your doctor for a thorough workup, diagnosis, and treatment plan. In some cases you may be referred to a rheumatologist who is a specialist in the musculoskeletal system and many other diseases that affect multiple body systems.

Finally,
a safety
attachment
for a
walker!

Ankle fractures in the elderly Bilateral knee replacement Care medical equipment Diabetic medical supplies Disposable medical supplies Elder Care Elderly Dementia Emergency Medical Supplies Exercises for Osteoporosis Gait Gait Analysis Hypertension Treatment Invacare Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis Knee Joint Replacement Knee Replacement Surgeons Knee Replacement Operation Medical Office Equipment Medical Supplies Sales Medical Office Supplies Medicare Durable Medical Equipment Medical Rolling Walkers Medical Walkers for the Elderly Osteoarthritis Treatment Oxford Knee Replacement Osteoarthritis Pain Osteoarthritis Symptoms Osteoporosis Exercises Partial Knee Replacement Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment Refurbished Medical Equipment Stair Lifts Spinal Stenosis Treatment Spinal Stenosis Treatments Sell Medical Equipment Treatment for Spinal Stenosis Treatment for osteoarthritis Used Medical Equipment Used Medical Supplies Unicompartmental Knee Replacement Used Hospital Equipment Wheeled Walkers For The Elderly Walking Aids Walker Safety Walker Attachments Transient Ischemic Attack Standard Walkers Walkers For The Elderly Rolling Walkers For The Elderly

People searching for online medical supplies are also reading the following information:

What is Rheumatoid Arthritis and how does it effect me?

How does hypertension and high blood pressure effect me?